Top Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Michigan
Online nurse practitioner programs in Michigan can help you fulfill your professional goals while providing the flexible, quality education you need.
If you’re a registered nurse who loves patient care but wants to enhance their abilities, autonomy, and authority, becoming a nurse practitioner may be the key to unlocking your dream career.
If you’ve already begun your search for online nurse practitioner programs in Michigan, you’ve likely learned that they typically offer a variety of specialization options, including family, pediatric nursing, women’s health, adult gerontology, acute care, neonatal, and psychiatric. In addition to your specialty, you can customize your program by choosing part-time or full-time enrollment, or joining an accelerated or direct-entry program according to your needs and goals.
We’ve created this guide to help you find your way. Learn more about top programs, key features, and additional educational paths. Round out your understanding by taking a deep dive into the job outlook and earning potential for nurse practitioners in Michigan. With all this information, you’ll be better equipped to sift through the online nurse practitioner programs in Michigan and choose the right one for you. Keep reading to get started.
Inside Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Michigan
As you begin your search for online nurse practitioner programs in Michigan, it’s helpful to know what a quality program looks like. Let’s take a closer look at three that exemplify the quality and flexibility you’ll need.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University offers a hybrid nurse practitioner program that takes three years to complete and has three concentrations. Students can choose from family, adult-gerontology primary care, and psychiatric mental health tracks. In all concentrations, students learn to assess health behavior and develop clinical judgment to deliver effective care. Courses include pharmacology, pathophysiology, clinical diagnosis and management, patient safety, and health policy and advocacy.
Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this nurse practitioner program costs $867 per credit hour for in-state students and $1,703.50 per credit hour for out-of-state students.
To enroll, applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN), have at least a 3.0 GPA, complete a three-credit statistics course, hold a current nursing license, and submit official transcripts, three letters of recommendations, and a statement of purpose essay. For those who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Michigan State has post-graduate nurse practitioner certificate programs as well.
Spring Arbor University
For those who want a variety of tracks and the option to go from RN to MSN-NP, Spring Arbor University’s online nurse practitioner program may be a good fit. Concentrations include adult-gerontology, family, psychiatric, and pediatric. The program is accredited by CCNE and trains students to assess, treat, and manage diseases in a variety of settings, such as home health, hospitals, doctors’ offices, and private practice.
Spring Arbor’s BSN to MSN program follows a 7-1-7 class schedule, meaning students take a seven-week course with one week off before the next. Online MSN-NP programs can be completed in 24 to 30 months, and classes have an average of 20 to 25 people.
Prospective students must have a BSN degree from an accredited school, a 3.0 GPA, official transcripts, and a current nursing license.
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan has created an online nurse practitioner program with three concentrations: pediatrics, family, and adult-gerontology primary care. To maintain the same high academic standards, the digital curriculum uses engaging, interactive technology such as simulation and animation. Students enrolled in the family and adult-gerontology tracks must come to campus for three days each semester for competency assessment and skills building classes. Each concentration is available in a two- or three-year schedule.
Before enrolling in the program, applicants must have a BSN, a 3.0 GPA, and a valid nursing license in the state they will complete clinicals. Individual requirements may vary depending on the chosen concentration.
In-state, online tuition starts at $1,698 for one credit hour, but nine or more credits (full-time) is $13,802. All incoming students are automatically eligible for tuition support, awarded based on merit, financial need, and other criteria.
Features of Top NP Programs in Michigan
Although details vary from school to school, there are certain features that quality online nurse practitioner programs in Michigan share. Find out what they are, and what effect they may have on your education and career so you can make an informed choice.
Accreditation
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a top nurse practitioner program is accreditation. Accreditation verifies that the curriculum meets designated quality standards and prepares graduates to be competent nurse practitioners. An accredited program will equip you for future work, and employers will have more confidence in your skills. And, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled in an accredited institution.
Affordable Tuition & Fees
If you’re looking for affordable online nursing practitioner programs in Michigan, tuition costs are at the top of your list. Financial aid options vary, and some schools, like University of Detroit Mercy, offer scholarships, loans, grants, and work-study programs. Others may not have as many types of aid, but may have a hybrid program with lower tuition, such as Saginaw Valley State University.
Certification Exam Pass Rates
Certification exam pass rates can help you gauge the quality of a nurse practitioner program; they give you a good idea of how well the program prepares its students to exceed not only academically but professionally. Schools with high pass rates will often feature them on their website. For example, in 2019, the University of Michigan boasted an impressive 100% pass rate on board certification tests.
Comprehensive Curriculum & Clinical Options
A quality nurse practitioner program has a comprehensive curriculum that covers a variety of important topics, such as healthcare policy, patient safety, leadership, and clinical judgment. A well-rounded education prepares you for the complexities you’ll face as a nurse practitioner. In an online format, like the University of Michigan’s NP programs, a comprehensive curriculum also takes advantage of technology and uses various interactive methods to convey the necessary information.
Flexibility in Format & Enrollment
Many students pursuing an MSN-NP already work full-time, so the flexibility of online study is a necessity. Depending on the structure of your school’s program, you may have to attend onsite assessments in addition to completing clinicals in person.
Applying to a nurse practitioner program can be complicated with the required documentation. Some schools, like Grand Valley State University, simplify this process with rolling admission, which gives applicants more time to submit the required paperwork.
Specialization Options
A notable characteristic of nurse practitioner programs is the choice of specialties, such as family, pediatrics, adult-gerontology, and psychiatric mental health. Programs like those at Wayne State University allow you to customize your education, hone your skills in a specific area, and gain the expertise you need to be an effective nurse practitioner. Options differ from one school to another, so it’s important to find one that offers the training that you need for your career goals.
Exploring Different Nurse Practitioner Degree Options in MI
Wondering how to become a nurse practitioner? You can earn your degree or certificate in a few ways, depending on your level of education and your chosen career path. Learn more below about degrees and certificates, the requirements and characteristics of each, and where to find them in Michigan.
MSN
One of the most common paths to becoming a nurse practitioner is an MSN degree. It takes an average of two to three years to complete, depending on the program’s structure and enrollment type. Many MSN programs offer multiple concentrations, including neonatal, pediatrics, family, psychiatric, and adult-gerontology, allowing students to focus on one specialty. Before enrolling, applicants must have a BSN, an active nursing license, a statement of purpose essay, and two to three letters of recommendation. Some schools also require a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score.
Featured Programs:
Certificate
Although not a degree, a nurse practitioner certificate prepares students with an MSN or DNP to sit for the exam of their specialty, allowing students to focus on the specific courses in their chosen field. This type of program can usually be completed in one to two years, depending on full- or part-time enrollment.
Applicants are typically required to hold an MSN or DNP, have a current nursing license, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose essay. Individual school requirements vary, so some students may be required to have a minimum number of hours of recent clinical experience.
Featured Programs:
DNP
For those interested in a terminal nursing degree, a Doctor of Nursing Practice nurse practitioner program equips students for specialized care, evidence-based practice, and leadership. Depending on previous education, program format, and type of enrollment, students can earn their DNP-NP in three to four years. Although an MSN to DNP program is common and focuses more heavily on specialization, nurses with a BSN can also earn their DNP by completing master’s courses early in their program.
Prospective students must have a BSN or MSN, an active nursing license, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, recent clinical experience, and GRE scores for some programs. Some schools may require an admissions interview as well.
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Career and Salary Prospects for Michigan Nurse Practitioners
The projected job growth rate for nurse practitioners in Michigan is 50.9%, meaning that the outlook is good for those looking to enter the field in the state. In fact, experts expect an average of 590 new jobs per year through 2030. This high growth rate lags just slightly behind the national average of 52.2%, which indicates a high demand for nurse practitioners across the country.
According to the data, a nurse practitioner’s salary can range from $78,300 in Bay City to $160,070 in Monroe, the highest pay in the 90th percentile. When looking at possible median annual wages, Ann Arbor tops the list with $125,380 — higher than the national median salary. Many other cities average between $105,000 and $110,000.
After Ann Arbor, Lansing, Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, and Flint have the best median salaries, from $110,000 to almost $120,000. They also have annual salaries over $95,000 in the 10th percentile range, which may be something to consider as a new nurse practitioner. Ann Arbor leads the way in that category as well with $105,010, making this the most profitable location to find work.
| Area | Employment (2020) | New Jobs (2020-2030) | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings (’20-’30) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 5,110 | 2,600 | 50.9% | 590 |
| US | 220,300 | 114,900 | 52.2% | 26,000 |
Source: Projections Central
| Location | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $87,340 | $121,610 | $165,240 |
| Michigan | $95,960 | $109,250 | $132,800 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $105,010 | $125,380 | $131,420 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $78,480 | $104,790 | $124,150 |
| Bay City, MI | $78,300 | $105,730 | $135,270 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $99,080 | $110,270 | $133,590 |
| Flint, MI | $95,250 | $110,960 | $131,260 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | $92,430 | $105,750 | $131,720 |
| Jackson, MI | $94,780 | $107,500 | $127,390 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $94,050 | $104,710 | $126,870 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $97,620 | $119,710 | $134,050 |
| Midland, MI | $90,510 | $109,200 | $128,420 |
| Monroe, MI | $96,560 | $106,980 | $160,070 |
| Muskegon, MI | $92,750 | $103,870 | $132,030 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | $96,570 | $105,080 | $129,700 |
| Saginaw, MI | $86,690 | $106,900 | $141,170 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
